Cut-out and fuse box



Jan. 4 1927.

s. BROMBERG CUT-OUT AND FUSE B OX Filed Dec. 24, 1924 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL BBOMBERG, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT TO MICHAEL M. KAHN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CUT-OUT AND FUSE BOX.

Application filed December 24, 1924. Serial No. 757,859.

The present invention is a cut-out fuse box or appliance adapted to be interposed in an electric lighting fixture or to be immediately associated with electric sockets,

plugs or other electrical appliances for the purpose of protecting other lights or devices, which may be operated on the same circuit, from being rendered inoperative, by only one of the lights or devices being short- 1 circuited, or for any other reason causlng the fuse to blow out.

Heretofore, it has been the practice in connection with electric light fixtures (and where fuses have been used therein) to place 1 the fuses under the ceiling cap, but these devices have not the general approval of the Fire Underwriters and there is also present the possibility of fire from the flashes of blown fuse as well as the trouble and inconvenience in replacing the fuse. By interposing the fuse in the fixture structure,

these drawbacks are overcome and the fuse box or receptacle can be positioned for convenient accessibility and becomes part of the 26 fixture structure.

The object of the present invention is the production of a devlce of the above-stated character having an extremely simple construction rendering it economical to manufacture, efficient in operation, easily accessible and easily installed on new fixtures or other electrical installations, as well as on those now in use.

Another object of the invention is the production of a cut-out and fuse box of the above-stated character having a construc tion which will lend itself to ornamental shapes and designs for use with various types of fixtures without detracting from the pre-designed ornamental characteristics of the fixture or appliance; and which will obviate the necessity of laborious operation in disconnecting circuits, removing fixtures or parts of same, or going into the ceilings or walls, or performing other tedious oper-' ings, the invention is disclosed in the form in which it is considered the best, but the invention is not limited to such form because it is capable of being embodied in other forms; and it is to be understood that in and by the claims following the description herein it is intended to cover the invention in whatever form it may embody within the scope thereof.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention as at present devised:

Figure 1 is an elevation illustrating the invention applied to the usual chain-light fixture;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the cut-out fuse box with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the cut-out and fuse box of this inventicgi substantially on line 33 of Figure 2; an

Fig. 4: is an elevation illustrating the invention applied in one of the sundry manners to which the invention is susceptible, and in this instance is shown interposed directly between a light socket and an outlet box.

Throughout the specification and drawings like reference characters refer to similar and like parts.

With particular reference to the details of the drawing, 1 indicates abox or other enclosure, preferably metal but may be of any suitable material and of any shape or design which is found convenient or which harmonizes with the design of any fixture with which the device is used, or which the exigencies of any installation or appliance may demand. The box or receptacle 1 is constructed to be normally closed for the purpose of confining any flash, sparks or the like which may be occasioned by short circuits, overloads or the like, causing the fuse to burn out for the purpose of reducing fire hazard. Accordingly the receptacle may be constructed in various manners, but in the present embodiment is shown as comprising a hollow member having a removable closure plate forming one face thereof. This closure plate 2 is preferably secured in position by suitable fastening means, such as the screws 3 which thread into flanges 4 extending from the interior surface of the wall of the receptacle. At suitable points on the body of the receptacle, preferably at opposite ends or opposite sides of the receptacle, are provided means enabling the receptacle to be attached for support to any suitable object and for the purpose of supporting therefrom (when necessary) a. fixture, light socket or to the conductor housings and casings of an electric installation, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

In the present embodiment of the invention this means is provided (as one method of accomplishing the result) by threaded openings capable of receiving the threaded ends or nipples of chain loops, links, pipes and couplings, for the purpose of supporting the receptacle from such parts and for enabling the receptacle in turn to support other parts therefrom.

In Figure 1 of the drawings one manner of use of the invention is disclosed wherein the same is interposed in the ordina y chain light fixture, the receptacle 1 having what are termed loops 6, provided with threaded nipples T threaded in the openings 5 and interposed in the chain C of the fixture. The loops 6 are pro Med with openings 8 through the nipples thereof which permit electrical wires or conductors to be admitted into the receptacle 1. Thus, it will be seen that the receptacle 1 in this showing forms a part of the fixture itself and may be of such design and ornamentation as to harmonize with the character of fixture.

The receptacle 1 is susceptible to a similar use in connection with pipe fixtures it only being necessary to disconnect threaded portions of the pipe and to connect them in the openings 5 of the receptacle by means of suitable reducing nipples or couplings commonly in use.

The present invention, as it will therefore be seen, may be incorporated in the fixture itself and form a rigid partthereof, independent of the electrical connections, and the sockets thereof.

In Figure a is illustrated another mode of attachment or use the invention, wherein the receptacle 1 is interposed between the usual outlet box 9 and a light socket or other terminal 10, such construction being commonly found in connection with show-win dow ligh ing. The receptacle ma also be constructed at its threaded-opening with intregal or rigid collars 11 in which is threaded a set screw 12 for the purpose of binding within the openings the threaded nipple 7.

From the disclosure in Fig. a it will be apparent to those skilled in the art the numerous ways which the invention may be applied and used in electrical installations and in connection with electrical appliances. lVith regard to electrical appliances the invention may be used directly on the appliance or directly on the wall plug as desired.

The interior of the receptacle 1 is provided with means for retaining fuses or fuse, but in the present showing this means comprises an insulating block 13 secured in any suitable manner, such as by screws ll to the receptacle, and having 011 opposite sides thereof two pair of spring terminal clips, preferably of the U-shaped type for receiving ends of the usual cartridge fuse 16. The block is cut away at points 13 between the clips of each pair for the purpose of enabling the insertion of a finger or other suitable instrument so that the fuse may be easily removed from the clips, the insulating block 13 being preferably secured to the back wall of the receptacle or opposite the cover 2. Of course it is understood that one fuse may be used requiring only one fuse holding means, but for purposes of detecting trouble and to insure safety a fuse should be used for each electrical conductor of a circuit. The electrical conductors, as before stated, are brought into the interior of the casing and are electrically connected in any suitable manner with the clips 15. The clips 15 are preferably held in position by screws 17 threaded into nuts 18 rigidly set in the insulating block 13.

From the foregoing it will be observed that a new and novel fuse and cut-out box is provided enabling its ready adaptation to fixtures and appliances and form a part thereof, for eliminating the trouble, inconvenience and expense incident to the entire service line or circuit being incapacitated by one fixture, appliance or installation on the circuit being troubled and for the purpose of quickly determining where the trouble lies and enabling the trouble to be corrected with readiness and convenience by laymen.

\Vhat I claim as new and upon which pray the grant of Letters Patent, is:

1. A fixture fuse box attachment of the kind described to be interposed in a fixture structure comprising a box-like closure, fixture engaging and supporting elements threaded at one end and having openings therethrough, insulators mounted in position within the box, spring clips on said insulators for releasably engaging a fuse, said box having threaded openings at paced intervals therein in which said support elements engage and through which openings said conductors may extend to said clips.

2. A fuse box attachment comprising a receptacle having means whereby the receptacle may be opened and closed, an insulator within the box comprising a body portion having a pair of laterally and oppositely extending arms at each end thereof, the body portion being secured in position to one wall of said receptacle, spring clip members arranged on each of said arms and supported thereby so that fuse members may extend from the clip of one arm to the clip of the opposite arm on the other end of said body portion and releasably maintained thereby, whereby the finger or other instrument may be readily inserted underneath the fuse when removing the latter, supporting means at substantially opposite ortions of the receptacle permitting the atter to be interposed and attached to the supporting structure of electrical devices and permitting electrical conductors to enter Within the receptacle for attachment to said clips. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 

